Stabilized car truck



@CL i6, F D. BARBER STABILIZED CAR TRUCK Filed June 19, 1947 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Oct-16, 1951 F. D. BARBER 2,571,519

STABILIZED CAR TRUCK Filed June 19, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Oct. 16, 1951 STABILIZED CAR TRUCK Franklin D. Barber, Flossmoor, Ill., assignor to Standard Car Truck Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 19, 1947, Serial No. 755,685

11 Claims.

This invention relates to stabilized car trucks of the type in which wedge-shaped friction blocks or shoes are arranged in such operative relationship to the car bolster that when the bolster moves downwardly under the influence of a load against the action of the load supporting springs the shoes are pressed into tightened frictional engagement with suitable surfaces on the truck frame so as to dampen the succeeding upward surge of the bolster.

Devices of this type have been provided heretofore in which springs have been employed for pressing wedge-shaped shoes into frictional engaging position; in some cases such springs and their cooperating parts being arranged so as to exert substantially constant pressure on the shoes for urging them into operative wedging position as the bolster moves downwardly, and in other.

cases the Springs being mounted and arranged so as to exert progressively increasing pressure on the shoes as the bolster moves downwardly.

While the above principles have been separately embodied in railway car trucks, they have not been heretofore combined satisfactorily in a single structure. It has been regarded as impractical, to combine the function of such springs in a single structure, because of the different lengths of the springs ordinarily required to exert the constant and the progressively increasing pressures and also because there is but limited space available in truck structures for mounting the separate springs. However, the present invention overcomes the above diiculties by the provision of improved constructions and arrangements, whereby separate springs may be disposed in a compact arrangement so as to permit the use of springs of appropriate lengths and, at the same time, simplify the dismantling and re-assembling operations in connection with the repair and replacement of springs, friction shoes or other parts of the truck.

A further and more specific object of the invention includes an arrangement whereby the stabilizing spring for exerting progressively increasing pressure on the friction shoe, of the stabilizing structure, extends through a constant pressure spring and bears directly against the shoe, the constant pressure spring being supported on a plate arranged beneath, but moving with the bolster.

Another object is to provide a unitary 'spring structure, for use in stabilized car trucks, which springs will exert constant pressure against friction elements associated therewith during all vertical movements of a truck bolster and will also exert progressively increasing pressure on said friction elements during vertical movements of the bolster in one direction.

The preferred means by which the several objects of the invention are accomplished are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a portion of a car truck embodying the improvements of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially at the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing stabilized springs of unitary form for exerting both a uniform pressure and a progressively increasing pressure against the friction shoe elements of the truck when the bolster moves downwardly; p

Fig. 5 corresponds to Fig. 2, but shows the modif-led stabilizing spring; and

Fig. 6 corresponds to Fig. 3, but shows said modied spring units.

Referring now to the several figures of the '25 drawing: I0 indicates the side frame of a railway car truck having a bolster window I I therein for one end portion of a bolster I2. The bolster I2 is yieldingly supported by four heavy coiled springs I3 which seat at their lower ends on a horizontally-positioned plate I4 supported on the side frame. The plate I4 is provided with upwardly extending anges I5 for controlling the position of the springs I3. The side frame I0 is provided at its end portions with the usual supporting wheels IB which cooperate with a similar arrangement of wheels and associated parts at the opposite side of the car truck for supporting the truck from the usual track rails I 1.

The bolster I2 of the present improved arrangement is provided at opposite side faces with pockets I8, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3. A surface of each of said pockets is inclined relative to the planes of the side faces of the bolster.

The inclined portions are, preferably, the innerwalls I8a of the pockets and they slant downwardly and inwardly with respect to said side faces of the bolster. In the pockets I8 are mounted friction blocks or shoes I 9 which are provided with inclined surfaces I`9a corresponding substantially to the inclined portions I 8a of the pockets. The outer faces of the shoes include friction plates 20 which have frictional engagement with vertically disposed face plates 2| secured to the vertical columns at opposite sides of the bolster opening II. The arrangement is such that when the shoes I9--I9 at opposite sides of the bolster are moved upwardly with respect to the bolster, they are at the same time caused to move horizontally into effective pressure relationship to the vertically disposed face plate portions 2| on the side frame so as to frictionally resist vertical movementnf thebolsterin the side.

frame.

Resilient elements apply pressure to the shoes I9-I9 in a direction to move them upwardly relative to the bolster. In one embodiment of the invention (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) this-resilient@- means comprise two coil springs,one of.which.`

exerts constant uniform pressure againstits. as-

sociated shoe element I9 and the other springexerts a progressively increasing pressure against the shoe element when the bolster-` I21moves" In another embodiment-tthis :ree-V downwardly. silient elements are in the-form of unitary structures in which one portion of a` unit exerts said. continuous uniformi pressure andanother por-- tion ofthe unit exerts the progressively increasing pressure.

ThisjmprovedLmeans shown in Figs. 1, 2 and. 3. for. supporting` the shoes., I9-I9 comprises. a.

horizontally disposedmetaljplate 22 interposed betweenthe lower face.of the. bolster andthe.

upper ends of the springs I3; The said. plate moves .with the bolster. and is. preferably, though not necessarily,l provided with. upwardlyopen.

sockets 23.-23 in which there. are-mounted coiled springs 24. Thesesprings. bear at their upper endsagainst-the bottom facesof .the shoes I 9.-.I 9.

The downwardly extending .pocketsare positioned.

between adjacent loadsprings. I 3.andconsequently,p,ermit .the` use. of .springs 24.. of suitable, lengthv when` the `dimensions ofthebolster might otherwise limit the length of these springs. coiledspring.. 25 of smaller diameter. than.. the springs 24 are mounted .inside .of-the.y springs. 24, bearing. at..ther upperendsagainstthe shoes I9 and mounted at their lower ends. on a wear.

plate 26 supported.. evenly by a. portion. of. the

sideirame I0.. Thesaid springs 25 preferably beanin eachcaseagainst a dependingstud portion,.3.1- formed on .the bottom of the` shoes.. I9..

These.` extension studsmay. be ofany desiredv length so thatthe length of thesprings 25.may.

becorrespondingly reduced.

In-,operation, the bolster I2-is adapted-to move downwardly under the influence of the load,

however, .which are mounted on wearA plate 25 supported on the side` frame- I,. exert progres-- sivelyincreasing pressureI on the shoes for forcing them,- upwardly. withl respectv to the bolster as thegbolster moves-downwardly. Bythef use of this; arrangement, the constantpressure :by then springs 24-function` to stabilize the movements.- offthe-bolsterwhenthe.L car-is empty or when onlyxalight. load is imposed on theloadfsprings. Thesesprings are-particularly effective to. damp-- err;y anyupwardfzmovementof the bolsterabove itsinormal. range of -movements. The pressure` exertedi-by the constant pressure` springs-244s. immediately; reinforced. by-- the progressively -in-- creasinge` pressure exerted sby-- the-springs 25 as the bolster is moved `farther anda-farther down-.-

wardls As` this upward pressure-on the. shoes` increases during the downward movement of the Other.

bolster, the shoes are forced into progressively increasing frictional engagement with the vertical plate portion 2I of the side frame. By the time the bolster reaches its lowermost position, the shoes I 9 are tightened firmly between the bolster and the face plate portions of the side frame andare.. thus in .highly effective position for .frictionally opposingthefinitial; upward movement of the bolster on the return oscillation of the parts. This strong opposition to the upward movement at the start of the upward movement eictivelybreaks the rhythm of the oscillation. As the bolster. moves upwardly, the pressure exertedjby springsiZ decrease, but the constant 'fpressure springldfexert their full pressure. This arrangement has been found very effective for preventing the-progressive building up of heavy oscillational effects, and it is believed to be of great importance accordingly.

The improvedarrangement and construction herein. shown-.serve to simplify the initial assembling operations' in` that it is' unnecessary to move the friction shoes `into retracted positions against'the compression of the springs 24 and 25', preliminary tothe insertion of the bolster inthe window II. Whenthe bolster' is being assembledjin the side frame or-when it is beingl disconnected therefrom, it-` is merely supported in an elevated position soas' to remove its weight from the springs I3. The load supporting springs I3 andlikewise the stabilizing ksprings' 24 and-25 may be readily removed. The bolstercan then` be moved `downwardly into'position, whereby the outer end'.of the'bolster, including the side lugs 28j thereon, may be withdrawn through the widened portion of window vI I. For holding the shoes I9.in raised-position duringv such adjustments, pins 29 are inserted` through openings invertically positioned' cross-plate portions 3i) at "opposite sides, of the pockets I8 and through large openings 3'I .formed inthe shoes, as shown inl'i'g.Y 1..

Referring4 now to the. modification shown in Figs. 4,.5 and. The side frame, bolster and load supporting springs of the embodiment shown in Fi'gsA; 5.and .6 may be, and preferably are, identicalV tothe corresponding elements shown in Figs.` .1,.,21and.3.and,' therefore. are identified by the-samereference characters. The modified constructions-resideprincipally in the provision of,unitary spring elements designated generally by-the.- reference characters 38-38 which are arranged in thesame position as springs 25 of the previous embodiment to bear against the bottom surfaces of wedge-like shoe elements 39-39 arrangedin the pockets I8.-I8 at opposite sides ofthe bolster I2. Each unitary spring element 38..comprises .along4 portion 38awhich seats at its. lower end on the plate 26 and bears at its upper end against the bottom of the friction shoe 39. The said spring unit includes also an outer spring 38h, the uppermost convolution of which-connects with the upper convolution of the-long spring 38a. The upper end of the spring portion 38h, therefore, bears against the bottom surface-of the friction shoe 39. The lower end of :the spring 33h seats on the plate '22. in the same-manner as indicated in Fig. 1.

When assembling the modified truck structure the-:unitary springs.38-38 are rst positioned in the'openings of the supporting plate 22 and the plate: isinserted within the window openings of the... truck side frame while the bolster is supportedin an elevated position. The load springs I3 are then positioned beneath the bolster so as to bear against the plate 22 and the'bolster is then lowered to its operative position.

While the form and arrangement of parts as shown in the drawings and as above described are preferred, the invention is not to be limited thereto, except so far as such form and arrangement are specifically claimed, it being understood that changes may be made in the arrangement without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stabilized car truck comprising in `oombination a side frame having 'vertical columns defining opposite sides of a bolster window, a bolster having an end portion extending through said window, resilient means for supporting the bolster with capacity for vertical movements in said window, and means for stabilizing the move ments of the bolster comprising a friction shoe supported for movement with the bolster and adapted to bear againstv one of said vertical columns, an inclined surface on the shoe, an inclined surface movable with the bolster and engaging said inclined surface of .the shoe for displacing it horizontally toward said column, resilient means for exerting pressure against said shoe to effect said horizontal displacement thereof comprising a constant pressure shoe actuating spring movable with the bolster, means extending vertically from said bolster and providing a seat for said constant pressure spring, a second spring for actuating said shoe which spring engages the shoe and exerts force thereon in the same direction as the said constant pressure spring, and means for supporting the lower end of the second spring in fixed relation to saidside frame of the truck, whereby the force exerted by the second spring progressively increases during downward movement of the bolster.

2. A stabilized car truck comprising in 'combination a side frame having vertical columns defining opposite sides of a bolster window, a bolster having an end portion extending through said window, resilient means for supporting the bolster with capacity for vertical movements in said window, and means for stabilizing the movements of the bolster comprising a friction shoe supported for movement with the bolster and adapted to bear against one of said vertical columns, an inclined surface on the shoe, an inclined surface movable with the bolster and engaging said inclined surface of the shoe for displacing it horizontally toward said column, resilient means for exerting pressure against said shoe to effect said horizontal displacement thereof comprising a shoe actuating helical spring movable with the bolster, means extending vertically from said bolster providing a seat for said spring, a second helical spring for actuating said shoe, the second spring being arranged with one end thereof extending through a portion of the first mentioned shoe actuating spring into engagement with the shoe, and means for supporting the other end of the second spring in fixed relation to said side frame of the truck, whereby the force exerted by the second spring progressively increases during vertical movement of the bolster in one direction.

3. A stabilized car ktruck comprising in combination a side frame having vertical columns defining opposite sides of a bolster window, a bolster having an end portion extending through said window, resilient means including a group of heavy springs arranged in said windowfor supporting the bolster with capacity for vertical movements, and means for stabilizing the movements of the *bolster comprising a friction shoe supported for movement with the bolster and adapted to bear against one of said vertical 'colums, an linclined surface on the shoe, an inclined surface on the bolster and engaging saidv inclined surface of the shoe for displacing it horizontally toward said column, resilient means for exerting pressure against said shoe to effect said horizontal displacement thereof vcomprising va shoe actuating helical spring movable with the bolster, means movable with the bolster for supporting the last mentioned spring compressed against theshoe comprising a plate interposedbetween said bolster and said heavy springs on which the bolster is supported, :a second helical spring'for actuating said shoe, which second spring is arranged with one end portion extending through said supporting plate and a portion of the first mentioned shoe actuating spring into engagement with the shoe, and means for supporting the othery end of the second spring in fixed relation to said side frame, whereby the second mentioned shoe actuating spring exerts progressively increasing pressure against the shoe as the bolster moves in one direction.

4. A stabilized car truck comprising in combination a side frame having vertical columns defining opposite sides of a bolster window, a bolster having an end portion extending through said Window, resilient 'meansV including a group of heavy springs arranged in said window for supporting the bolster with capacity for vertical movements therein, and means for stabilizing the movements of the bolster comprising a Vfriction shoe supported for -movement with the bolster and adapted to .bear against one of said vertical columns, an inclined surface on the shoe, an inclined surface on the ybolster and engaging said inclined surface of theshoe for displacing it horizontally toward said column, resilient means for exerting pressure against said shoe to effect said horizontal displacement thereof comprising a shoe actuating helical spring movable with the bolster, means movable with the bolster for supporting the last mentioned spring compressed against the shoe comprising a plate interposed between said bolster and said heavy springs on which the bolster is supported, the plate being provided with an upwardly opening cup for receiving said shoe vactuating spring, and a second helical spring for actuating said shoe, which second spring is arranged with one of its ends extending through said supporting plate and a portion of the first mentioned shoe actuating spring into engagement with the shoe, and means for supporting the other end of the second spring in xed relation to said side frame, whereby the second `mentioned shoe actuating spring exerts progressively increased pressure against the shoe as the bolster moves in one direction.

5. A stabilized car truck, comprising in combination, a side frame, a transversely-positioned bolster having its end portion positioned in a window opening in the side frame so as to permit free vertical movement of the lbolster with respect to the side frame, load supportingr springs seated on a portion of the frame in position to engage the end of the bolster, a shoe movable vertically with the bolster with respect to the side frame and provided with a, vertically lextending inclined face and a vertical friction face movable vertically relative to the bolster, means defining a vertically inclined face on the bolster for engaging the inclined face of said shoe' for displacing said shoe horizontally to press said vfriction face thereof against the frame when the shoe is moved vertically of the bolster, resilient means positioned to exert vertical pressure on the shoe cooperating with said vertically inclined faces of the bolster and said shoe to affect said horizontal displacement comprising a iirst portion movable with the bolster for exerting constant pressure on the shoe and a second portion for exerting progressively increasing pressure on said shoe and thereby progressively increasing the pressure of the shoe against said frame, means movable with the bolster for holding the rst portion of said resilient means under compression, and means carried on the side frame for supporting the second portion of said resilient means under compression.

6. A stabilized car truck, comprising in combination, a side frame member, a transverselypositioned bolster having its end portion positioned in a window opening in the side frame so as to permit free vertical movement of the bolster with respect to the side frame, load supporting springs seated on a portion of the frame in position to engage and support the end of the bolster, a shoe formed with a vertically extending inclined face and movable with the bolster vertically with respect to the side frame and movable vertically of the bolster, means deiining a vertically extending inclined face movable with said bolster and cooperating with said inclined face on the shoe for displacing said shoe horizontally into frictional engagement with the said frame when the shoe is moved vertically of the bolster in one direction, vertically disposed spring means having a portion supported for movement with said bolster and a second portion supported at one end with iixed relation to the side frame and cooperating with the first portion for affecting said vertical movement of the shoe relative to the bolster, a plate movable with the bolster for holding the first mentioned portion of the spring means under compression, and means bearing on the side frame for supporting the second portion of said spring means compressed against said shoe.

7. A stabilized car truck, comprising in combination a side frame member, a transverselypositioned holster having its end portion positioned in a window opening in the side frame so as to permit free vertical movement of the bolster with respect to the side frame, heavy springs seated on a portion of the side frame in position to engage and support the end of the bolster, a vertically tapered shoe positioned between the bolster and the side frame and movable vertically with respect t the bolster and the side frame, means defining an inclined surface on the bolster for engaging and placing said shoe horizontally into frictional engagement with the side frame when the shoe is moved upwardly relative to the bolster, a coiled stabilizing spring bearing on said side frame and cooperating with said lateral displacing means to press said shoe into frictional engagement with said side frame, and a second coiled stabilizing spring supported for movement with the bolster and surrounding said iirst named stabilizing spring and pressing against said shoe to increase its frictional engagement with the side frame.

8. A stabilized car truck, comprising in combination a side frame member, a transverselypositioned bolster having its end portion positioned in an opening in the side frame so as to permit free vertical movement of the bolster with respect to the side frame, heavy springs seated ona portion of the side frame in position to engage and support the end of the bolster, an upwardly-tapered shoe positioned between and engaging cooperating surfaces on the bolster and on the frame and movable vertically with respect to the said bolster and the side frame to exert wedging pressure against the bolster and the side frame, means for causing the wedging pressure of said shoe against the bolster and the frame, comprising a coiled stabilizing spring having one end engaging the shoe, means for supporting the other end of the spring in fixed relation tothe side frame, a plate carried by the bolster and extending horizontally adjacent to said stabilizing spring but out of engagement therewith, and a second coiled stabilizing spring surrounding an end portion said rst named stabiizing spring and supported by said plate in position to press against said shoe.

9. A stabilized car truck comprising in combination a side frame having vertical columns defining opposite sides of a bolster window, a bolster having an end portion extending through said window, load supporting springs on which the bolster is supported, a plate member interposed between the bolster and said load supporting springs and means for stabilizing the movements of the bolster comprising friction shoes supported at opposite sides of the bolster for movement with the bolster and adapted to -bear against said vertical columns, an inclined surface on each shoe, inclined surfaces movable with the bolster and engaging said inclined surfaces of the shoes for displacing them horizontally toward said columns, resilient means for exerting pressure against said shoes to eiect said horizontal displacement thereof comprising in each case a unitary resilient element including a constant pressure exerting portion engaging a friction-'shoe and seating on said plate so as to move bodily with the bolster and a second portion having one end engaging the shoe, and means for supporting the other end of said second portion in fixed position relative to a portion of the frame beneath said shoe and in longitudinal alignment with said constant pressure portion of the spring, whereby the combined force exerted by both portions of the spring is increased in relation to the extent of downward movement of the bolster.

10. A stabilized car truck comprising in combination a side frame having vertical columns defining opposite sides of a bolster window, a bolster having an end portion extending through said Window, load supporting springs on which the bolster is supported, a plate member interposed between the bolster and said load supporting springs and means for stabilizing the movements of the bolster comprising friction shoes supported at opposite sides of the bolster for movement with the bolster and adapted to bear against said vertical columns, an inclined surface on each shoe, inclined surfaces movable with the bolster and engaging said inclined surfaces of the shoes for displacing them horizontally toward said columns, resilient means for exerting pressure against said shoes to effect said horizontal displacement thereof comprising in each case a unitary coil spring including a constant pressure exerting portion engaging a friction shoe and seating on said plate so as to move bodily with the bolster and a variable pressure exerting portion which engages the shoe, and means for supporting the other end of the variable pressure portion of the spring in fixed relation to a lower portion of the side frame, whereby the pressure exerted by the variable pressure portion against said shoe is increased during downward movement of the bolster.

11. In a car truck, a side frame, a bolster resiliently supported on said side frame, a shoe carried in the bolster and frictionally engaging a surface of the side frame, spring means urging said friction shoe against said surface comprising a unitary spring having a portion maintaining a constant force on the friction shoe regardless of the Weight on the bolster and a second portion maintaining a variable force on the friction shoe and increasing directly with the load on the bolster, the total force between the friction shoe and said surface of the side frame being at all times the sum of the independent forces exerted separately by the constant force portion of the spring and the variable force portion of the spring.

FRANKLIN D. BARBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

